US Labor Department renews its memorandum of understanding with Securities and Exchange Commission

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that it has renewed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on sharing information on retirement and investment matters. The memorandum was signed by Secretary of Labor Tom Perez and SEC Chair Mary Jo White.

"The department views our work with the SEC on shared interests in recent years as a tremendous success. By renewing this memorandum of understanding, we will continue to better serve all of America's workers who depend on private-sector retirement plans," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security Phyllis C. Borzi. "Our experience with the SEC helps to boost the department's enforcement program and ensure that our regulatory and other programs work in tandem with the SEC's initiatives to provide meaningful protections for workers' retirement savings."

The memorandum sets forth a process for the department's Employee Benefits Security Administration and SEC staffs to share information and meet regularly to discuss topics of mutual interest. The memorandum also will facilitate the sharing of non-public information regarding subjects of mutual interest between the two agencies. Additionally, both agencies will cross-train staff with the goal of enhancing each agency's understanding of the other's mission and investigative jurisdiction.

As more and more investors turn to the markets to help secure their futures, pay for homes and send children to college, the shared investor protection mission of the SEC and the Department of Labor is more vital for America's workers than ever before. The renewed memorandum reinforces the agencies' historical commitment to share information and work together on a variety of regulatory, enforcement, public outreach, research and information technology matters.

EBSA's mission is to assure the retirement, health and other workplace-related benefits of America's workers, retirees and their families. In the retirement area, EBSA has authority over private-sector retirement plans including 401(k) plans and IRAs, plan fiduciaries, and service providers. Additional information can be found at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/.

The full text of the memorandum is available at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/SECMOU073013.pdf.